World Space Week (WSW) is an annual holiday observed from October 4 to
10 in over 95 nations throughout the world. World Space Week is officially
defined as "an international celebration of science and technology, and
their contribution to the betterment of the human condition". World
Space week is organized every year by coordination of the World Space Week
Association (WSWA) and the United Nations (UN).
On December 6, 1999, The United
Nations General Assembly declared World Space
Week as an annual event celebration to be commemorated between October 4 and
10. The choice of dates was based on recognition of two important dates in
space history: the launch of the first human-made Earth satellite, Sputnik
1, on October 4, 1957; and the signing of the Outer
Space Treaty on October 10, 1967.
World Space Week is the largest annual space event in the world. In
2019, World Space Week was celebrated with over 8,000 events in 96 countries.
Events included school activities, exhibitions, government events, and special
activities at planetaria around the world.
Each year, a theme for World Space Week is established by the Board
of Directors of World Space Week Association. Under the theme "The Moon:
Gateway to the Stars", many events of World Space Week 2019 focused on the
50th anniversary of the Apollo 11 landing, plans for human exploration of the Moon, and
Lunar observation by telescope.
In 2022, theme of World Space Week is "Space and
Sustainability." In 2021, "Women in Space" was the theme. In
2020, the theme for World Space Week was "Satellites Improve Life",
and SES CEO Steve Collar was World Space Week 2020 Honorary
Chair.
The World Space Week Association is a non-governmental,
non-profit organization, which is supported by national coordinators in over 50
nations.
Its goals are to educate people around the world about the
benefits that they receive from space, encourage use of space for sustainable
economic development, foster enthusiastic education and interest in science and
cooperation between nations through space outreach and education.
The association provides resources for educators in grade K-12.
A Calendar of Events from nations celebrating World Space Week
is available.
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